Are you as weary of #fake fitness influencers as I am? My editorial colleague Joy Keller put together a marvelous campaign about this for IDEAfit+ Members recently and I wanted to draw your attention to it with the hope of igniting some discussion and possible solutions.
You worked hard to get (and stay) certified. You have years of experience guiding people to sustainable health and wellness, and you do it safely. You’re well-qualified and have established your reputation as a respected fitness professional.
Yet, one day you note that a former athlete with no formal exercise physiology education, no certifications and no real training experience stakes a claim on your social media feed as an “expert” who can “help you lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks” using his formula, which is not grounded in evidence. In fact, this influencer bases his program on a method that worked for him one summer—and now he applies it to everyone.
You know this is not a sound approach. Frustrating though it is, his marketing works. He has 10 times the number of followers you do, and his platform continues to expand, despite being based on a flimsy foundation that’s downright dangerous for most clients. If this sounds familiar and frustrates you, you’re not alone.
What Can You Do About #Fake Fitness Influencers?
Tackle the #fake fitness influencer trend directly by leveraging your status as an IDEAfit+ Member. Apply IDEA’s 40 years of research-based education and professional connections—which include gold standard resources and career support—to set yourself apart. IDEA advocates for YOU, the educated fitness pro, and all your efforts to Inspire the World to Fitness®.
Do you have teammates and colleagues who are not IDEAfit+ Members? Know that we’re stronger together, and it’s never been more advantageous to join thousands of other wellness warriors in lifting fit pro legitimacy and industry standards to a new level. Do yourself and the industry a favor today and share news about IDEA’s wealth of career tools and resources with others. The more like-minded, serious professionals we have on the job, the more our industry will continue to uplevel the credibility of our profession. Fake influencers don’t stand a chance against a united, educated army of real pros.
IDEA World Convention is Waiting for YOU!
One of the key resources IDEAfit+ Members enjoy is convening with the IDEA family each year at the IDEA World Convention. Do you remember that feeling of being on top of the world, connected to like-minded people who love to geek out on fascia as much (or more) than you do? Do you recall the thrill of walking the IDEA World Fitness & Nutrition Expo floor, discovering new equipment, apparel and training systems? Are you ready to recapture the infusion of energy and inspiration that fueled you for the entire year following your last visit to IDEA World?
It’s time to reclaim that magic!
The 2022 IDEA World Convention takes place in-person this July 20–24, in Las Vegas. Help us celebrate IDEA’s 40th Anniversary while re-engaging with colleagues and boosting your earning potential at the industry’s premier educational event. Join the conversation on our IDEA World Facebook Group, and get pro tips on how to save money and get the most out of this career-changing event. The knowledge you can amass through IDEA events and through our many articles, courses and success tools may not completely silence all the #fakes out there, but it will amplify your voice and your credentials.
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